Uplands easements back off the table

Oak Bay will work toward a phased approach for its sewer separation plan in the Uplands neighbourhood after accepting the first of four recommendations to council last week from project manager Jack Hull.

The idea, noted Coun. Kevin Murdoch and echoed later by Coun. Eric Zhelka, is only to move the project forward.

Murdoch suggested a phased approach has previously been associated with specific design decisions and sought confirmation that’s not the case.

“It’s really independent of which option is chosen,” Hull confirmed.

The phased approach would be considered in the amendment to the Capital Regional District’s Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan.

Council also approved the recommendation that property owners be consulted on the location of sewer lateral connections to the new sewer, to minimize the risk to mature trees and other vegetation.

They agreed that horizontal directional drilling on municipal property is off the table, with the exception of small diameter lateral connections from property lines as appropriate as is use of easements eliminating the need for a survey of property owners on easements.

With a geotechnical report this summer, Oak Bay anticipates the pieces to come back after the summer for recommendations to be put to council for discussion.